| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
THE TUESDAY BULLETIN Issue No. 1, Spring 2001 January 16, 2001 Weekly News from the AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 100 INTERNATIONAL CENTER
EAST LANSING MI 48824-1035 For back issues, see archive <http://www.isp.msu.edu/AfricanStudies>
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFERENCES FELLOWSHIPS JOBS
EVENTS
January 18, Thursday
"Astronomical Practices in Africa South of the Sahara," African Studies Center Brown Bag with Keith Snedegar, Visiting Scholar (MSU Abrams Planetarium), 12:00 noon, Room 201, International Center.
MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
FLAS Fellowships 2001-2002
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in African languages and area studies at MSU are available from the U.S. Department of Education, under Title VI of the Higher Education Act. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. FLAS fellowships are awarded to graduate students enrolled in programs which combine the study of modern foreign language with advanced training and research in area studies and/or international development. In general, fellows may be enrolled in any discipline, however some restrictions may apply. Awards cover the cost of core college tuition and fees at MSU, plus a stipend of $11,000 for the academic year. FLAS fellowships at MSU are awarded by three of the University's Title VI National Resource Centers. Each center is authorized to fund the study of particular languages as listed below. A smaller number of summer grants cover tuition and fees for a six-week intensive study of an African language (see below).
A) Intensive Shona Summer 2001 Program will be held from June 21 to July 27, 2001 by the African Studies Center and the Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages at Michigan State University. This six-week Intensive Summer Program in Shona will be preceded by a three- day gratis workshop on Zimbabwe, June 18-20. Three courses will be offered during the Institute: Elementary Shona (AFR 151 & 152) and Intermediate Shona (AFR 251 & 252), both 8 credits each, for 25 hours per week for six weeks; and Advanced Shona (AFR 450), 6 credits, for 20 hours per week for six weeks. A three-day seminar on Zimbabwe for students, faculty, and members of the public with a special interest in Zimbabwe will be offered June 18-20, 2001. Lecturers will be drawn from across the nation and from Zimbabwe as well as from the more than 50 MSU faculty who have taught, worked, and conducted research in Zimbabwe. Shona Intensive Summer Program participants are expected to participate in this gratis workshop.
The Summer Shona Institute will be directed by Professor Albert Natsa, faculty member of the Dept. of Curriculum and Arts Education, University of Zimbabwe.
For further information, contact Dr. Yacob Fisseha, Assistant Director, African Studies Center, 100 Center for International Programs, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1035; Phone: (517) 353-1700; Fax: (517) 432-1209; or E-mail: fisseha@msu.edu. Application deadline is February 16, 2001.
B) MSU-Ford Minority Fellowship: Zimbabwe Michigan State University (MSU) with the support of the Ford Foundation announces the creation of three competitive full fellowships for beginning graduate students in African studies interested in completing an M.A. and Ph.D. in an academic department at MSU. Deadline to apply is February 16, 2001. Students will be admitted for a 15-month program beginning June 2001 for a program for the study of Zimbabwe, consisting of: six-weeks of intensive Shona language study at MSU in summer 2001 under the instruction of Prof. Albert Natsa, University of Zimbabwe; one semester at MSU in fall 2001 for a full load in Shona and African studies, enrolled in a graduate department of one's choice; and eight-months of immersion in Zimbabwe studies at University of Zimbabwe January- August 2002. Those completing the 15-month program will be expected to enroll for continuing graduate study in an MSU academic department in the following academic year 2002-2003. To apply, one must complete forms seeking admission both to this special program and to graduate degree study in an MSU academic department. Graduate degree admission forms should be obtained from the relevant department of interest to the student - and the Center can assist with that communication. Criteria for selection shall include: academic excellence and achievement; commitment to the study of Africa through advanced graduate programs; commitment to completing an M.A. and Ph.D. program in an academic department; and commitment to learning the language and culture of the African nation. For further information see: http://isp.msu.edu/AfricanStudies/Ford_Fellow.htm or contact Professor Yacob Fisseha, Assistant Director, African Studies Center, MSU. Tel: (517) 353-1700. Fax: (517) 432-1209. E-mail: fisseha@msu.edu
MSU Partnership to Cut Hunger in Africa
MSU President Peter McPherson has initiated an international Partnership to Cut Hunger in Africa as "an independent effort formed by US and African public and private sector institutions and international humanitarian organizations ... to formulate a vision, strategy, and action plan for renewed US efforts to help African partners cut hunger [in Africa] significantly by 2015." The Partnership is based in Washington, D.C. and is co- chaired by Malian President Alpha Oumar KonarÈ, former US Senator Robert Dole, and former US Representative Lee Hamilton. The initiative was announced on the MSU campus recently by Partnership Executive Director Susan G. Schram, who also heads the core management and strategy group; Howard Gobstein, MSU assistant vice president and director of federal relations in Washington; MSU agricultural economists Michael Weber and John Staatz, and Julia Howard of the Partnership technical committee.
The ultimate goals of the Partnership in its fight against hunger in Africa are to foster more effective advocacy in U.S. policy circles for increased governmental assistance, increased commitment from corporations and foundations, and increased cooperation and coordination among the many institutions and organizations currently involved in this effort, as they work with committed African leaders to "create a sustainable way for Africa to become a more equal and active partner in the global economy and community." For more information about the Partnership and background related to hunger in Africa, visit the site at http://www.africanhunger.org
Thoman Fellowship Program
MSU International Studies and Programs is seeking applicants for the 2001-2002 Thoman Fellowship Program. The program aims to bring together advanced PhD students from developing countries to consider strategies to address issues of poverty and hunger, both in our local community and in the students' home communities. The successful applicant will demonstrate professional and personal interest in the issues of poverty and hunger, an outstanding academic record, a high degree of motivation, previous professional experience, and promise for a significant future contribution to the home country. Preference will be given to applicants who will have completed or expect to complete their comprehensive exams by the end of the Fall 2001 semester. Application materials are available from the Office of the Dean, International Studies and Programs, 201 International Center, MSU. Completed applications are due by March 1, 2001.
Standards, the WTO and the Agrifood Sector
The Institute for Food and Agricultural Standards, an interdisciplinary teaching, research and policy analysis institute at MSU, is organizing a mini-conference in Spring 2001. The focus of the Conference will be issues of standardization of food and agricultural products arising out of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements and will bring several experts on the theme to MSU. The entire MSU community is welcome, and upper division undergraduates and graduate students from any discipline may also attend the conference as a one credit course. The preliminary meeting for the course is on Thursday, January 18, 2001, 466 Berkey Hall, 12 noon until 1.30 p.m. The mini-conference will be March 23-24 in the Gold Room, MSU Union. For more information contact Dr. L. Busch (Sociology) at 355-3396, Dr. C. Harris (Sociology) at 355-5048, or Dr. T. Reardon (Agricultural Economics) at 355-1521.
Presentation on Thesis & Dissertation Formatting and Graduation Requirements
The Graduate School announces a presentation on thesis and dissertation formatting and graduation requirements on Thursday, January 18, 2001, 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Kellogg Center, Big Ten A. The presentation is free and the Graduate School will provide parking in the Kellogg Center. RSVP is NOT necessary. For more information, call the Graduate School at 355-0301.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nominations for Joyce Cain Award for Distinguished Research on African Descendants
Due to the efforts of the Underrepresented Racial, Ethnic and Ability Groups Committee (UREAG), the Comparative and International Education Society is proud to announce the inauguration of the Joyce Cain Award for Distinguished Research on African Descendants. The award is open to all members of CIES who conduct research on African descendants. It recognizes and honors excellence in scholarly articles that explore themes related to people of African descent. The award is presented to an outstanding article that demonstrates academic rigor, originality, and excellence, and contributes to a better understanding of the experiences of African descendants. The first award will be presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society. Any CIES member in good standing, including the author, may nominate a scholarly work that has been published in the year 2000 for the award. Nominations should include three copies of the nominated article and a cover letter requesting its consideration. Send nominations to Reitumetse O. Mabokela, College of Education, 426 Erickson Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Phone: (517) 353-6676. E-mail: mabokela@pilot.msu.edu.
African Music Performance
Chike Ihenacho, a Nigerian musician, will play the kalimba in a live performance at The Leglar Public Library, 113 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL on February 15, 2001 at 10.30a.m. in celebration of Black History Month. For more information, contact Chike Ihenacho, 6401 S. Yale Street, Ste. 1021, Chicago, IL 60621. E- mail, chike2@juno.com Web: http://geocities.com/classicalafricanmusic.
Summer Institute Indiana University
Methodological Alternatives for Incorporating Africa's Oral Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge into a Changing World is a Summer Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington, designed for junior faculty and advanced graduate students in the humanities and social sciences actively completing research in Africa on these topics. Workshop sessions planned for the initial weeks of the Summer Institute will introduce and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative methods relevant to such research, focusing specifically on how they can be integrated into the contemporary world. The Institute will be directed by Dr. Gracia Clark (Anthropology, Indiana University), and sessions will be led by members of Indiana University's African Studies faculty and visiting scholars. Interested applicants should contact the African Studies Program for application requirements and further details: Phone: (812) 855-6825. Fax: (812) 855-6734. E-mail: afrist@indiana.edu. Web: www.indiana.edu/afrist. Applications must be received by February 23, 2001.
Launch of Africa's Employment Zone
Africajobserve announces a site designed to assist recruiting agencies, employers and employees in Africa. The site offers a database that can be used by employers and employees to list job openings or resumes. To submit a resume, send it as an attachment to cv@africajobserve.com. For further information, see http://www.africatrainingneeds.com or http://www.africadatabase.com.
CONFERENCES
Contemporary Development Issues in Ethiopia
The Ethiopian American Foundation (EAF) announces an international conference on contemporary development issues in Ethiopia at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 16-18, 2001. The conference is intended to provide a forum for an informal discussion on key development and policy issues in Ethiopia and is designed for researchers, policy makers, investors, the donor community, and others interested in development issues in Ethiopia. The Program Committee invites proposals on current development issues related to the following sub-themes: Education and Health Issues; Environment, Natural resources and Agriculture; Gender Issues in Development; Private Sector Development; Science and Technology for Development; The State of Ethiopia. For a participation form and information about submitting a proposal contact Professor Sisay Asefa, Department of Economics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008. Fax: (616) 387-3999. E-mail: asefa@wmich.edu.
Graduate Student Research Conference
The Program Committee for The Ninth Annual Graduate Student Conference in African Studies, Boston University, March 23-24, 2001 invites proposals for this interdisciplinary conference intended for students at all levels of their graduate careers. Participants are welcome to present thesis chapters, works in progress, methodological papers, or simply outlines of dissertation proposals. The setting will be friendly and informal. Abstracts should be submitted by mail and must include the author's name, address, institutional affiliation, e-mail address and phone number and are due February 9, 2001. Send abstracts to Graduate Student Conference, African Studies Center, 270 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215. For more information visit the Conference website at http://www.bu.edu/afr/gradconf or send an e-mail to llaporte@bu.edu or dfay@bu.edu. There is a $10 conference fee, payable by check to the African Studies Center.
Children of the World: Risk and Hope
The Ohio University Center for International Studies is pleased to announce the conference Children of the World: Risk and Hope, April 5-8, 2001, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. This international and interdisciplinary conference explores the theme Children Throughout the World. The first two days of the Conference will be devoted to the African Girl Child, while the other two days will address international children's issues. Topics to be addressed include but are not limited to Child Labor, Child Soldiers, Early Childhood, Education, Gender, Health, Human Rights, Media, Poverty, Public Policy, Refugees, Street Children, and War. Students, teachers, development practitioners, health care professionals, community activists, and others who work with children are encouraged to submit a one page, single spaced abstract by February 16, 2001. Include a cover sheet with the paper's title, author's name, institutional affiliation, address, phone number and e-mail address. If you would like to organize a panel presentation, please send a one- page abstract for the panel and a cover page listing the above contact information for each of the panelists. Send all contribution to Catherine Cutcher, Center for International Studies, Ohio University, 56 E. Union Street, Athens, OH 45701. Phone: (740) 597-1511. Fax: (740) 593- 1837. E-mail: cutcher@ohio.edu.
FELLOWSHIPS
African Cross-Currents in Atlantic Cultures
Scholars of African ethnicities and cultures in the Diaspora are invited to apply for a one-year postdoctoral teaching and research fellowship at the Carter G. Woodson Institute's Center for Advanced Studies of Race, Ethnicity, and Society in Africa and the Atlantic World at the University of Virginia, to begin August 1, 2001. The Center is particularly interested in projects related to West and Central African ethnicities and cultures. Funded by the Ford Foundation, this teaching and research fellowship is designed to advance individual scholarship while facilitating the reconceptualization of African and African-American Studies through interdisciplinary collaboration. The competition is open to qualified candidates without restriction to citizenship or residence. Applicants must have been awarded their Ph.D. by the time of application or furnish proof that it will be received by June 30, 2001. The application deadline has been extended to February 15, 2001; all materials must be postmarked by that date. Forms are available at: http://www.virginia.edu/woodson/programs/cas. For more information contact: Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400162, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4162. Phone: (804)924-8889. Fax:(804) 924- 8820.
JOBS
Structural/Civil Engineer Mozambique
Save the Children is looking for a qualified structural/civil engineer with overseas disaster management experience (ideally with an NGO) with knowledge of earth road design and construction. The successful candidate will work as part of the existing team ensuring that two large health centers are completed to the highest quality and on schedule. The candidate must possess the necessary diplomatic skills required when liasing with governmental authorities, possess proven ability to work closely with government partners and communities and have a willingness to travel extensively in difficult conditions. The candidate should have administrative and organizational skills and be familiar with writing reports. Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish and of rudimentary water supply and drainage will be advantageous. The deadline is January 28, 2001. For details and an application visit: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/vacancies or contact Thomas Hladik, Overseas Personnel Officer Recruitment, The Save The Children Fund, 17 Grove Lane, London SE5 8 RD United Kingdom. Phone: +44+20 703-5400 ext 2499. Fax: +44+20 7793 7614, E- mail:t.hladik@scfuk.org.uk.
----
Message-Id: <4.3.1.2.20010112161748.00ad53b0@pilot.msu.edu> Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 16:19:22 -0500 From: MSU African Studies Center <beckum@pilot.msu.edu> Subject: Tuesday Bulletin No. 2